New ways to treat eye diseases that cause vision loss
Targeting TGFB signaling to treat ocular neovascular disease
This research looks for new ways to stop abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, which can cause severe vision loss in conditions like diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Storrs NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Storrs-Mansfield, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11092224 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Excessive blood vessel growth in the eye leads to severe vision loss in conditions like diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, and current treatments aren't always enough. This project explores how a natural signal in the body, called TGFβ, can help control this abnormal blood vessel growth. Researchers are using advanced models to understand how different parts of this signal work in eye cells and identify new targets for treatment. They are also studying a protein called Neuropilin 1, which influences the TGFβ signal, to find more effective ways to protect vision.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, who experience vision loss due to abnormal blood vessel growth, are the focus of this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose vision loss is not caused by excessive blood vessel growth in the eye may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new and more effective treatments for patients suffering from vision loss due to abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye.
How similar studies have performed: The research builds on previous findings suggesting that increasing TGFβ signaling can restrict abnormal blood vessel growth, but this specific approach to manipulate downstream signals is novel.
Where this research is happening
Storrs-Mansfield, United States
- University of Connecticut Storrs — Storrs-Mansfield, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zarkada, Georgia — University of Connecticut Storrs
- Study coordinator: Zarkada, Georgia
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.